Culture worthy of your calendar

Pull out that outfit that never worked before and wear it with pride at the Orlando Museum of Art

By Josh Garrick
| 12:22 p.m. March 30, 2011

Winter Park - Maitland Observer
Neighborhood

1st Thursdays at the Orlando Museum of Art

The Original happens-once-a-month-on-the-same-day-of-the-month-art-party here in Central Florida is the award-winning 1st Thursdays (of each month) presented by the Orlando Museum of Art. The 1st Thursdays event for April 7 is called Fashionista. Artists are invited to present works in which the art of fashion — from the “chic” to that which is “unique, original and creative” will be on display.

Every 1st Thursdays offers live music and a variety of drinks and food tastings for sale. Combine your sense of art and style — pull out that outfit that never worked before, call it “art” and wear it with pride at the Orlando Museum of Art on April 7 from 6-9 p.m. The Museum is at 2416 N. Mills Ave. in Loch Haven Park. Call 407-896-4231 x260 or visit omart.org

Culture & Cocktails at MAC

The Maitland Art Center has been particularly active over the past year — finding new ways in which to present art to the community. One of its new activities is called Culture & Cocktails — a monthly meet-and-greet that mixes fine artists with music … and cocktails! April’s event is set for Friday, April 8, from 6-9 p.m. and features two popular Central Florida artists. Robin Maria Pedrero, a Florida Artist Hall of Famer, is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America. Her art captures life’s pleasures through natural forms and geometrics in layers of charcoal, pastel, colored pencil, ink, acrylic or oil paint. Jon Didier earned a BFA in drawing/printmaking at the University of Central Florida. His work is based in copper etching or mixed media drawing, and has been displayed at the Orlando Museum of Art. He is a printer for Flying Horse Editions.

Live music, food and drink will be offered. The cost of admission is $5 (includes one free drink). The Maitland Art Center is at 231 W. Packwood Ave. in Maitland.

A warm Pie Festival welcome

Here’s one more wonderful reason to live in Central Florida. On April 9 and 10, pie lovers, tasters and bakers are invited to the Disney-created community of Celebration for two very sweet days at the Great American Pie Festival. Now in its ninth (I-never-miss-it) year, this pie extravaganza dishes up layers of fun for the whole family.

While enjoying some of the best desserts imaginable, we are also invited to enjoy entertainment and baking demonstrations as we achieve pie nirvana. Every flavor and filling you can imagine will be offered for two “full” days. The Crisco Kids Creation Station will give young bakers an opportunity to create with Piecasso tin art, while the Pietopia Stage features entertainment and demonstrations with chefs from across the country. Of course there are pie-eating contests, and most importantly there is the Never-Ending Pie Buffet featuring an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of award-winning pies — as well as ice cream, toppings and beverages from regional and national bakeries.

The festival is held lakeside in downtown Celebration from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Never-Ending Pie Buffet is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. For more information, visit the American Pie Council at www.piecouncil.org

Civil War Experience

Florida’s role in the Civil War was important insofar as our state provided cattle and salt for the South’s too-often hungry soldiers. On Sunday, April 10, as part of the ongoing exhibit “Florida in the Civil War” at the History Center (downtown), visitors will have opportunities to meet costumed Civil War re-enactors and talk with people of the Civil War era — civilian and military, North and South. Guests may travel through time — back to the 1860s – to speak with a young bride and her soldier groom, ask slaves about their experiences, play period parlor games, and rediscover the issues that Americans faced living in a country at war with itself. The time travel experience takes place from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is included with admission to the museum. Call 407-836-8500 or visit www.thehistorycenter.org. The Orange County Regional History Center is housed in the beautifully restored 1927 courthouse in downtown Orlando and features three floors of permanent exhibitions.